The UK regulator has appointed consultancy firm CRA International to carry out an analysis of the plans, which will assess the financial benefits and drawbacks of their introduction.

The EU plans have been derided by the hedge funds industry, with many believing they will cripple the UK market. Critics are hoping the FSA report will provide further evidence that the measures must be altered before they are introduced.

Hedge fund lobby group the Alternative Investment Management Association has welcomed the move and called on Brussels to conduct its own cost-analysis survey.